Directed by:
Jim JarmuschScreenplay:
Jim JarmuschCinematography:
Yorick Le SauxCast:
Tom Hiddleston, Tilda Swinton, Anton Yelchin, Mia Wasikowska, John Hurt, Jeffrey Wright, Slimane Dazi, Georges Claisse (narrator), Aurélie Thépaut (more)Plots(1)
Detroit-based musician Adam (Tom Hiddleston) is a centuries-old vampire who has become disenchanted with the technologically-advanced modern world. Meanwhile, his wife Eve (Tilda Swinton) has adapted well to her ever-changing surroundings and is enjoying life in Tangier. As Adam sinks into depression, Eve returns to him, sensing his despair, and the two rekindle their romance. However, the arrival of Eve's younger sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) threatens their relationship. The film also stars John Hurt and Anton Yelchin. (Thunderbird Releasing)
(more)Videos (7)
Reviews (10)
You see the posters, you've seen the movie. The beautifully framed shots with amazing mise-en-scene are considerably more than the whole more-or-less story with characters so impenetrable that no one even wants to penetrate them. The sad kind of movie that if it wasn't dutifully artsy, lyrical, and independent, it would have been 45 minutes shorter and at least respectable. That said, it's funny how what the film really lacks most is what's often picked on in Czech films, the lack of a dramaturg who has the balls to say to a famous, renowned director, "Hey don't you feel like this is a little past the point of mind-numbingly boring?"
()
The boundaries of control, which brought many film fans to the brink of despair or the threshold of fury, appealed to me, partly because I enjoyed Jarmusch's mannerisms and self-centeredness. For a while now, I've felt that if Jim doesn't change his approach, the day will come when the scythe will hit the stone, and that was perfectly fulfilled in the case of this film. I endured 65 minutes of concentrated boredom, only to fast forward through the rest of the film, and I must admit, I bitterly regret those very long 65 minutes. The film is simply too empty for me. In my opinion, it's a clear artistic failure. Overall impression: 20%.
()
Jarmusch tests the limits of the audience's perspective - you'd stake another filmmaker for the cheapest name symbolism - while building one of the best musical playlists ever. In a melancholic atmosphere, he lets two cursed men of infinite time pass who have run out of reasons to live, letting one of the year's essential viewing experiences mature as the hours tick by. 4 ½.
()
The film Only Lovers Left Alive is stylized, with its own pace, specific musical and sound aspects, and distinctive acting - slow, weary, resigned - where faster moments stand out, although there aren't many of them. The horror atmosphere is minimal, but for example, the scene in the airplane is very well-shot, even though it logically fizzles out. A good film, but one that is not easy to digest.
()
One thing that really annoys me about Jim Jarmusch's films is how the stories are dragging out. Jarmusch is able to add such a tremendous amount of tediousness into each of his films that I always spend at least a part of it being bored. Other than this, the premise seemed very interesting, the acting performances were quite decent, and I was also intrigued by its criticism of the current state of affairs. If it hadn’t been for the sluggish pace, I would have given four stars.
()
Gallery (88)
Photo © Pandora Filmproduktion
![Only Lovers Left Alive - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/162/288/162288942_90b17b.jpg)
Ads